Afghanistan
Islamic Emirate Plans Joint Banks with Regional Allies to Counter Sanctions-Tolo News
Abdul Latif Nazari, the Deputy Minister of Economy, told Russia's Sputnik news agency that in response to international banking and political sanctions, the Islamic Emirate is working to create joint banks with regional countries to reduce the impact of these sanctions. He added that negotiations to establish such banks are underway with Russia, China, and Iran. Click here to read…
Thousands of Afghans Return from Iran after Losing All Belongings-Tolo News
Many Afghans returning from Iran say that due to Israeli attacks and pressure from the Iranian government, they have lost all their belongings and returned to Afghanistan empty-handed. Many said they had lived in Iran for years and had built a life there, but during their return, they were unable to bring even their household items with them. Click here to read…
Flights over Afghanistan surge fivefold after Israel attack on Iran-The Khaama Press
Since Israel began its strikes on Iran, the number of flights using Afghanistan airspace has surged more than fivefold, reaching about 280 per day, according to data from FlightRadar24. Airlines have rerouted flights due to security risks over Iran, making Afghanistan airspace a preferred alternative despite ongoing safety concerns. Click here to read…
Richard Lindsay named UK Special Envoy for Afghanistan-The Khaama Press
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office announced on Friday that Richard Lindsay has been appointed as the new Special Envoy for Afghanistan. According to the official statement, Lindsay assumed the role in June and will focus on human rights, humanitarian aid, and regional stability. Lindsay is a seasoned British diplomat who most recently served as Deputy Director for Afghanistan and Pakistan at the UK Foreign Office. Throughout his two-decade career, he has held senior posts, including British High Commissioner to Brunei and Head of Security Policy. Click here to read…
Bhutan
Foreign ministry advises illegal Bhutanese immigrants in US to return – Kuensel
In a notification issued on June 20, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MoFAET) urged undocumented Bhutanese nationals in the United States (US) to voluntarily return home following revelations that the US government may impose travel restrictions on Bhutan and 35 other countries over immigration and national security concerns. The public notification advises Bhutanese nationals without lawful immigration status to comply fully with US immigration laws or face potential consequences, including deportation. This directive comes amid reports of a leaked memo signed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, outlining a 60-day deadline for flagged countries to address key concerns or face entry bans for their citizens. Click here to read…
Maldives
Israeli Strikes on Iran Threaten Regional Stability: Foreign Minister Khaleel – PSM News
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Abdulla Khaleel has described Israel’s attacks on the Iranian territory as an attack on regional stability and peace, and called for the immediate end to the aggression, The Foreign Minister made the call during his address at the 51st Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul, Turkey. In his remarks, the Foreign Minister noted that with the world transforming rapidly, it is important to establish unity among the OIC member countries and within the Islamic Ummah. The Minister expressed concern over the continuous atrocities committed by Israel against the people of Gaza and the Palestinian people. Click here to read…
Maldives, Pakistan Explore Technical Cooperation to Strengthen Health Sector – PSM News
The Maldives has held discussions with the National Institute of Health of Pakistan on the provision of technical assistance to strengthen the country’s health sector. The discussions were held during an official visit to Islamabad, Pakistan, by a delegation from the Ministry of Health. The delegation met with the Chief Executive Officer of NIH and other technical officials as part of a visit to the National Institute of Health of Pakistan. The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation to strengthen the Maldives’ public health system and capacity development. In this regard, possible cooperation in field epidemiology training, monitoring of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), infection prevention and control (IPC), and strengthening the national disease surveillance system were discussed. Both sides also discussed enhanced technical cooperation, training opportunities and the development of institutional partnerships. Click here to read…
Myanmar
Myanmar Junta Moves to Seize Sagaing Roads – The Irrawaddy
Myanmar’s junta has attacked northern Sagaing Township, clashing with resistance groups and displacing thousands of residents. Fighting broke out near Kyaw Zeya village on Friday morning, blocking the Mandalay-Shwebo road at Sar Taung town and Yonepin Kan village. The military has been reinforcing northern Sagaing Township, adjacent to resistance-held Wetlet Township. On Tuesday, the regime also attacked the area with artillery from Yonepin Kan village near Ohn Taw. A resistance source told The Irrawaddy on Friday: “There are two groups of troops separately raiding villages along the Sagaing–Shwebo road. Resistance groups used long-range artillery and drone bombs. There is now direct combat, especially near Kyaw Zeya.” The regime has blocked the road at Yonepin Kan, while resistance forces sealed it off at Sar Taung, stranding hundreds of vehicles. Click here to read…
Myanmar junta battles guerillas for control of jade hub – The Times of India
Myanmar's junta and anti-coup guerillas battled over the country's jade mining hub Friday, a combatant and a local said, displacing desperate civilians as they vied for supplies of the precious stone. Myanmar has been consumed by a many-sided civil war since a 2021 coup toppled the democratic government, with the myriad of fighting factions plundering the nation's vast natural resources to fill their coffers. Jade is considered auspicious in Chinese culture and high-quality stones can fetch astronomical sums in the neighbouring country. Fighting has raged during a Myanmar military offensive around villages and mining sites in Hpakant township of northern Kachin state, according to Naw Bu, spokesman of the Kachin Independence Army battling the junta in the area. Click here to read…
Pakistan
Rs36b mini-budget proposed-The Express Tribune
Four days ahead of the approval for Rs435 billion worth of tax measures announced in the budget, the government on Sunday proposed a Rs36 billion mini-budget and eased restrictions on major purchases by individuals with insufficient declared assets. The revised criteria aim to address public concerns about the negative impact of the earlier blanket ban on economic activity by ineligible persons. Click here to read…
OIC calls for 'strict adherence' to IWT-The Express Tribune
The Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC-CFM) on Sunday condemned Israeli aggression against Iran and expressed solidarity with Pakistan in the wake of "unjustified strikes" carried out by India last month. The 'Istanbul Declaration' issued at the end of the two-day meeting in the Turkish city, emphasised that the ceasefire between Pakistan and India announced on May 10, 2025, must be "faithfully adhered to", in the interest of regional peace and stability. Click here to read…
Balochistan CM Bugti orders fuel, supplies for areas near Iran border-Dawn
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting to review the current situation in districts bordering Iran which were facing food and fuel shortages due to the Iran -Israel war. The meeting focused on the availability of food supplies, fuel provision and safe return of pilgrims and students from Iran, and the overall security and administrative conditions in these areas. Click here to read…
